One of the oldest and most popular items at Chu Wing Kee is the Hong Kong-made ceramic and plastic piggy banks. The red ones in particular were highly popular in the 1980s and byproducts of the city’s booming toy industry. This vintage piggy bank remains one of the most sought-after items at the shop today and hark back to a time when banks and large corporations gifted these to customers.
As one of Hong Kong's oldest outdoor wet markets, Graham Street Market features some established shops, one of them being Kin Kee Noodle Factory, an old-school noodle shop that has been selling handmade noodles for about 80 years. More than 10 different types of noodles are available, including shrimp, fish, and chicken noodles.
How to shop at the wet market like a pro
Linva Tailor was founded by husband-wife duo Leung Ching-wah and Leung Fung Pui-chun. They started their tailoring careers in their early teens, trained intensely from 9am to midnight, seven days a week for decades to master the art of the cheongsam. From design to sewing, every step is done by hand. In addition to ready-to-wear dresses, Linva Tailor also offers made-to-measure cheongsam, which requires multiple fittings over at least two months, to perfect every detail including the cut, pattern, length, sleeve, collar and fastening.
How to shop for antiques
Upper Lascar Row is home to great antiques like vintage items, secondhand goods, Mao memorabilia, jade, silk, and porcelain items. Before you start shopping, here are a few tips.
A neighbourhood as steeped in history as it is brimming with style, Old Town Central is the perfect place to seek out a unique gift or memento to bring back home. Whether you want to visit a local market, comb through an antique store or look your best at one of the many fashionable concept shops, this happening area boasts no shortage of gems waiting for treasure hunters to discover.
The highlight of Upper Lascar Row {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is the seemingly endless row of antique stores, offering an eclectic collection of Chinese calligraphy, arts and vintage furniture. This runs parallel to stalls that sell an array of bric-a-brac collectibles, such as Mao Zedong alarm clocks and Bruce Lee posters. In recent years, local designer boutiques and vintage clothing stores have popped up nearby, attracting more locals as well as visitors.
In business since 1965, Linva Tailor {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info on Cochrane Street shot to fame after the period drama blockbuster, In the Mood for Love, featured its custom-made cheongsams. These dresses were commonly worn in Hong Kong up to the 1960s ad 1970s, and at Linva, you can find an exquisite, ready-to-wear collection, and also order one that’s tailor-made.
This iconic neighbourhood homeware shop is a treasure trove of household goods from a time gone by. A dwindling sight in Hong Kong, Chu Wing Kee {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is a place where you can find stacks of old-school crockery and teapots, bamboo baskets dangling from the ceiling, and feather dusters and kerosene stoves tucked away in corners. Forget mass-produced modern items and opt for these classic and affordable Hong Kong products, which also make for great souvenirs.
With more than a century’s history, Graham Street Market {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is a great place to experience life as a local. The sloped street is flanked by food stalls on either side, selling everything from fresh vegetables to live seafood. Along the market, you’ll also find traditional shops selling items that make for great souvenirs. For example, founded in 1917, the Kowloon Soy Company (9 Graham Street, Central, +852 2544 3697) is renowned for its soy sauce made with traditional techniques.
Treasure hunters will be delighted at Select 18 {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info , a place caught up in time with a carefully curated collection of treasures ranging from vintage spectacles, bags and hats to old radios and vinyl records, among other items amassed by owner Mido, a native Hong Kong citizen of Indian descent. An avid collector of Scandinavian furniture and eyewear, Mido also has a taste for vintage items, as reflected by the collectibles he personally gathered or received from relatives abroad.
Founded in 2011, ABoutique {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is committed to showcasing contemporary emerging labels and timeless designs for Hong Kong shoppers and fashionistas. Pick from a great variety of eye-catching brands and a wide selection of chic outfits, shoes and accessories, you can easily find a new wardrobe here that will help you stand out from the crowd.
As its name suggests, this funky vintage store specialises in 1970s fashion and apparel. Here, you can rummage through a myriad of groovy clothing and memorabilia that’ll have you nostalgic for the disco days. Turn Bang Bang’s checkered tiled floors into your personal dance floor as you try on everything from platform boots to rare retro bags and even pre-loved luxury clothing and accessories.
Goods of Desire {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info (also known as G.O.D.) is a lifestyle brand offering products with a distinct Hong Kong flair. The shop was founded in 1996 and started in a small industrial space in Ap Lei Chau. Since then, it has expanded to various branches in the city and overseas. Shop here for cool T-shirts, stationery, and quirky household accessories designed with a cheeky sense of humour inspired by Hong Kong culture.
Redefining ceramics as more than just kitchenware, Hong Kong-founded Loveramics {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info designs fun and energetic goods that brighten up any table or countertop. Marvel at a dizzying collection of themed plates, colourful mugs, teapots, coffee accessories and cutlery, and feel free to coordinate or mix and match. You can’t go wrong with the classic collections, but the contemporary and quirky designs will certainly spruce up any kitchen.
Mahjong is an integral part of Hong Kong’s culture. Homegrown brand Glocal Mahjong {{title}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info celebrates this unique heritage with an array of mahjong-themed products that you won’t find anywhere else. Think custom-design mahjong sets, stationery, lifestyle items, and wearables like T-shirts, bags, and even gold-plated necklaces.
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